Comelec starts consultations on alternative modes of overseas voting

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday started a series of consultations with election system providers to explore possible alternative modes of overseas voting.

Among the four solutions providers, Dominion Voting Systems was the first to present during a consultative meeting hosted by the Office for Overseas Voting on Monday.

“Under the law, ang overseas voting system natin, COMELEC is tasked to explore the possibilities of alternative modes of voting including of course internet voting. That’s what we’re doing now,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told GMA News Online.

“The idea is to give the oversight committee input on what's available, what’s possible, and what will work or will not work for the Philippines.”

As to whether the consultative meetings would result in some of these systems being used in future national elections, Jimenez said the discussions were limited to overseas voting.

“Again, it’s strictly for overseas voting. Wala itong local elections,” he emphasized.

Aside from Dominion, three more solutions providers are set to present in the consultative meetings: Indra on Wednesday, Smartmatic International on Thursday, and Voatz on Friday. — DVM, GMA News